Electron Microscopy and Allied Fields

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, we have immense pleasure in inviting you to IIT-Bombay at Powai, Mumbai for the 25^th Annual Conference of the Electron Microscope Society of India (EMSI).

We wish to benefit from your expertise and seek your esteemed support for using the EMSI platform for dissemination of current knowledge on Electron Microscopy and Allied Fields. Several eminent Electron Microscopists and Application Specialists from India and abroad are also expected to participate. We are aiming to have a successful meeting of EM experts, students and industry representatives.

Mumbai's climate will be pleasant in February. Besides the technical events, we hope you will enjoy visiting Mumbai's many remarkable institutions, impressive buildings, long beaches and heritage spots. IIT Bombay will feel honoured to receive you as a guest participant and the local organizing committee will try to make every effort to live upto your expectations of an excellent conference.
 
 

Prof. Ashok Misra, Patron, EMSI-2002 and Director, IIT Bombay
Prof. Jayesh Bellare, Convenor, EMSI-2002 and Head, BioMedical engineering
Prof. A.Q. Contractor, Secretary, EMSI-2002 and Head, RSIC
Prof. Raman S. Srinivasa, Secretary, EMSI-2002 and Professor, Met. & Mat.Sci.

• Call for participation/abstracts through the first brochure 31 July 2001
• Receipt of abstracts with completed abstract form 15 October 2001
• Acceptance of abstracts and call for full papers 1 December 2001
• Receipt of full papers 1 January 2002
• Receipt of registration forms and fees 1 January 2002
• Registration with late fees 15 January 2002
• Receipt of entries for photomicrograph contest 15 January 2002
• Beginners workshop 19 February 2002
• Conference dates 20-22 February 2002

• Soft matter & Complex fluids
• Nanomaterials & nanoparticles
• Physical sciences
• Materials science
• Earth sciences
• Biological sciences
• Cell biology
• Thin film technology
• Aquatic sciences
• Metallurgy
• Polymers and composites
• Biomedical engineering
• Earth sciences
• Electron diffraction & analysis
• Surface morphology
• Entomology
• Biomaterials
• New techniques
• Low-vacuum methods
• Image processing
• Web based microscopy
• Optical Light microscopy
• Novel types of microscopy
• Scanned probe microscopy:
• Confocal, multi-photon
• FISH
• AFM, tunneling
• Thermal, electrochemical, etc.
• Workshops on specialized techniques

• Your participation is welcome through presentation of research papers on these and related topics, as delegates, and as exhibitors.
• Students and Research Scholars are welcome.
• Our goal is to provide an opportunity for interaction and collaboration between electron microscopists and industry/academia/laboratories for microscopy-related research, development and quality monitoring.
• Our goal is also to promote young active workers in the field by giving them an opportunity to interact with specialists, senior colleagues and equipment suppliers.
• A training workshop to initiate researchers in electron microscopy is planned.
• Advanced workshops to illustrate some specialized techniques are planned.
• Manufacturers and representatives of microscopes, accessories, supplies and consumables are invited to present details of new equipment by means of exhibition, demonstration, lectures and advanced workshops.
• Full papers submitted by the deadline will be published in the proceedings. Full papers that are presented may also be published (after further review) in a special issue of a reputed journal.

Registration forms are located later in this brochure. They are also available on the web at www.che.iitb.ac.in/faculty/jb/emsi . There are sections relating to: delegate registration, abstract submission, workshop registration, and accommodation.

Delegate Registration Package

All "Full Registrants" will have access to the following

• All scientific sessions of the conference.
• Competitions (e.g., Best Micrograph) of all types.
• Technical exhibitions.
• Working lunch and two teas per day at conference site.
• Sponsored dinners, if any.
• Each registrant will receive the conference kit containing final programme, abstracts/proceedings, stationery and other relevant information brochures.

• Working lunch and two teas per day at conference site.
• Sponsored dinners, if any.

• On-site registration will be available, subject to vacancies. Therefore, advance registration is highly recommended.
• *Research scholars and full time university students must provide proof by way of a letter from their college principal / university registrars stating their official student status.

A "Letter of Invitation to attend the conference" will be sent to participants if indicated in the form provided. The invitation letter may be of use to participants to facilitate their getting travel funds from their own resources, for visas, for leave applications, etc., in order to attend the conference. The invitation letter does not imply any obligation of financial support from the organizing committee.

Information Regarding Presentations

Oral

Oral presentation will be of 12 minutes followed by 3 minutes of discussion. The following audiovisual equipment will be available: overhead projector, slide projector, LCD projector with PC containing CD-ROM drive, pointer.

Posters

Each poster will be allocated space of about one meter square (1m x 1m). Abstracts scheduled for poster presentation will be segregated into physical and biological sciences. The time schedule for setting up and taking down posters will be indicated in the program. Time will be set aside for a discussion session on Posters Presentation. At least one of the authors must attend the poster during this time to discuss the work presented.

All those wishing to make presentations (oral or poster) should submit an abstract.

Instructions to Author(s) for preparing posters

1. Each poster will be given an area of about 1 meter square (1m x 1m).
2. Panels would be provided for hanging/pasting the posters.
3. The posters should be ideally made on several A4 size sheets. At the conference, each A4 sheet will be pasted or taped on the card sheets that would be provided. Alternatively, large posters of upto 1m x 1m may be made and brought.
4. Card sheets of 1m x 1m would be provided so that the sheet in its entirety could be hung easily with the individual sheets / posters pasted on it.
5. Include prominently on the poster the title of the presentation, the name of the author(s) and the institution where the work was undertaken.
6. Present most results in graphical form.
7. Character height recommendations: Title: 25 mm (approximately 72 point font), Headings: 10-16 mm (48 point), Text: 5-8 mm (24 point).
8. Use glazed or glossy photographs for better visibility.

1. The abstract to be submitted is an extended abstract of two pages.
2. Underline the name of the presenting author in the list of authors in the abstract.
3. The presenting author must register and attend the conference.
4. An author can present only one paper, but can be co-author on other papers. (Not applicable for invited papers.)
5. Submit abstracts for oral as well as poster presentations.
6. Please submit abstract as per prescribed format and include the abstract submission form.
7. One original printout, one soft-copy (including soft-copy of figures in 300 d.p.i. uncompressed tiff format) and two hard-copies (printouts) must be submitted.
8. Final choice for poster/oral presentation, and classification into category and session will rest with the conference organizers.
9. Authors are urged to take every care before submitting the abstracts as they will be used in camera ready form, and hence authors will not get any galley-proofs.
10. Statement(s), figures, images, micrographs and photographs in the article(s) is/are the responsibility of the author(s).

1. Abstract should be typed (preferably in Microsoft Word). A sample abstract is enclosed. Its soft-copy is available at: http://www/che.iitb.ac.in/faculty/jb/emsi
2. Figures, illustrations, micrographs, etc., must be inserted within the file as scanned or computer-generated files. Supply figures as 300 d.p.i. uncompressed tiff files.
3. Type the abstract within the limit of two A-4 (210 x 297 mm) pages

• The abstract should be of two pages.
• Page set-up is as follows: Spacing for all text: single; Font size: 12; Margins: Top and bottom: 25 mm(1 inch); Left and right: 30 mm(1.25 inch).
• Those using other paper sizes (8-1/2 x 11 inch) should adjust margins so that the text area matches the above (approx. 150 mm x 247 mm or 5.9 x 9.7 inches).
• Figures and illustrations with captions may be included in the running text.
• First line paragraph indentation to be 0.5 inch.
• Use Times New Roman font throughout.
• The title is centered 16-point bold with first character of each word in upper case.
• The authors are centered in 12-point font. List all authors on a line, then all affiliations on the next line. Underline the name of the presenting author.
• Type the text in 12-point font in single-spacing, left-justified (ragged right).
• For your reference, a sample abstract is enclosed. Its soft-copy in Word-97 format is available at: http://www/che.iitb.ac.in/faculty/jb/emsi

1. Number the references in the order in which these appear in the text. List all references at the end in the format as per the example provided.
2. Use high quality printer like laser or ink jet for the hard copy.
3. Abstracts will be published in the "camera-ready" format submitted, without editing.

1. Submit 3 original black and white prints of each photograph or drawing pasted in the right place. Please note that figure(s) of published articles will not be returned.
2. Size of photomicrographs and drawings should not exceed 150 x 150mm.
3. All figures and micrographs should be within the specified page margins.
4. Use black ink for all charts and line drawings. Make decimals, broken lines, etc. strong enough for reproduction. Bar charts should be unidimensional and only in tones of grey or black.
5. Use arrows to designate special features.
6. Photomicrographs must show only the essential fields.
7. Figure captions to be centered.
8. Number the figures in the order in which these are mentioned in the text.
9. Include soft copies of all figures/micrographs as 300 d.p.i. uncompressed tiff files. Name these files as fig1.tif etc., to correspond with the figure numbers in the text.

1. The properly completed official abstract submission form.
2. One original abstract and two photocopies, all having the original photomicrographs (glossy) and drawings/tracings pasted in the correct places.
3. One soft-copy (text, preferably in Word format, and figures as tiff files). This soft-copy can be sent on CD-ROM or by email (mailto: emsi@cc.iitb.ac.in).
4. Please note that none of the submitted items will be returned.

Beginners workshop

A one-day workshop for those starting electron microscopy will be held on 19-Feb-2002. It will consist of lectures and demonstrations on TEM and SEM. Due to the hands-on nature of this workshop, only a limited number of seats is available for this workshop and will be filled on a first-come basis.

Registration Fee for Beginners workshop (Limited number of seats available).

Several advanced workshops covering specialized techniques or equipment are planned during the conference. Details will be sent in a subsequent mailing.

An exhibition will be organized at the conference venue. Various manufacturers / representatives are invited to exhibit the equipment / literature / videos of their products. Confirmed list of exhibition participants in the exhibition will be on the web at: http://www.che.iitb.ac.in/faulty/jb/emsi

Myelin figures are non-equilibrium microstructures found in systems of amphiphilic molecules and water. They are known to be multi-lamellar rod-like structures where stacked bilayers of amphiphiles, alternating with water layers are wrapped concentrically around a rod-like core of water¹. Optical microscopy has been mainly used as a tool to visualize myelins and to study their growth behaviour. A scanning electron microscope has also been used to study the myelin figures in the surfactant egg-Phosphatidylcholine^1,2,3,4. Aerosol-OT / brine systems have also been studied^5,6. In the study reported here, we used a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to view the myelin figures under cryogenic conditions, in Aerosol-OT/water system. Until now, another surfactant microstructure, the liposome, has been used as carrier of drugs and moisturizers⁷. Work is being done to explore the possibility of using myelin figures for the purpose of encapsulation and reaction.

Myelins from soya-Phosphatidylcholine (Sigma-Aldrich) and AOT (Fluka) were grown on brass stubs with double distilled, de-ionized water. Samples were also tried on a copper plate, but the brass stubs gave better results. A JEOL JSM 6400 SEM in cryo mode was used to view the myelins. Liquid Freon-22 slush was used for cryogenic plunging⁸ and liquid nitrogen of high purity was used for cooling the SEM to cryo conditions and for sample stabilization.

A specially designed brass stub, 10 mm diameter and 7 mm height was developed for this work. A blind-hole, 6 mm diameter and 2 mm deep was drilled on the stub centre, where the surfactant was placed for myelin formation.

The SEM was cooled with liquid nitrogen and maintained at –130o C to –140o C. The surfactant was placed at the centre of the blind hole using a pair of clean forceps and a drop of double distilled, de-ionized water was put on top of the surfactant piece. After about 5 minutes, during which the myelins were allowed to grow, the stub was held in a plunging device and plunged at high speed into a reservoir of Freon-22 slush. The stub was kept in the Freon-22 slush for 5 minutes for temperature stabilization and then was quickly transferred into a vessel containing liquid nitrogen. The sample stub was cryo-transferred onto the pre-viewing stage of the cryo-SEM and fractured using an internal, dedicated fracture knife. Samples were viewed in SEI mode, some after cryo-coating with gold.

Figure 1a shows the presence of unfractured AOT myelins on a copper plate. It is seen in figure 1b that myelins grow out as tube-like structures from the main body of the surfactant when prepared on brass stubs. The fractured surface showed the internal multi-lamellar structure of the myelins (Figure 1c). Along with a few myelins that got fractured, some unfractured myelins were also observed and these were seen to be long tube-like structures (Figure 1b-arrow). Typically the size of the myelin figures were of the order of about 50 micrometers in length and about 15 micrometers in diameter, showing well defined, concentric bilayers (Figure 1d-arrow).

Work is being done to study the possibility of encapsulating material into the myelin figures, just like liposomes are used for encapsulation. Myelins are structures that are formed as a pre-cursor to liposomes. Thus, they exhibit behaviour similar to liposomes--like forming unique helical shapes⁹. Therefore, it is believed that encapsulation, and even reaction, could also be a possibility in myelins. This would yield nanoparticles and microstructured mesophases. The cryo-SEM method described here could be a powerful tool in such studies.

References

1. Sakurai .I et al, 1989, Cross-sectional view of myelin figures, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 985, 101-105.
2. Mishima .K et al, 1984, The effects of pH and ions on the myelin figure formation in phospholipid-water system, Chem. Physics Letters, Vol.106, No. 6, May 11.
3. Sakurai .I, 1985, Concentration gradient along the long axis of myelin figures of phosphatidylcholine, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 815, 149-152.
4. Mishima .K, 1987, Growth rate of myelin figures of egg-yolk phosphatidylcholine, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 904, 149-153.
5. Buchanan .M et al, 1998, Swelling and dissolution of lamellar phases: role of bilayer organization, Langmuir, 14, 7371-7377.
6. Buchanan .M et al, 2000, Dynamics of interface instabilities in nonionic lamellar phases, Langmuir, 16, 3718-3726.
7. Lasic, D.D., 1993, From Physics to Applications, Elsevier.
8. Bellare J.R et al, 1993, A cryo-SEM technique developed and applied to surfactant liposomes, Proc. 51^st Annual Meeting of the Microscopy Soc. of America.
9. Ke-Chun Lin et al, 1982, Induction of helical liposomes by Ca²⁺-mediated intermembrane binding, Nature, Vol. 296, March 11.

Photomicrograph competition

The photomicrograph competition is open to all registered delegates on an entry fee of Rs.100/- for each entry. Each participant is allowed to submit a maximum of two photomicrographs. Each must be classified into the following categories:

1. TEM materials science
2. TEM biological science
3. SEM materials science
4. SEM biological science
5. Other types of microscopy e.g., light/AFM/Confocal/etc.

1. The size of each micrograph should be 8x10 inch, glossy
2. The micrograph should be mounted (firmly stuck) on a thick, white, A4 size card.
3. On the reverse of the card, neatly write/print the following:

1. Contestant's name, address, and laboratory
2. Brand & model of microscope used
3. Category of participation
4. Electron Optics magnification
5. Print magnification and micron bar
6. Description of object

1. Submit your entry at the registration desk on the first day of the conference. Alternatively, send your entries together with a Demand draft in favour of "EMSI-2002" payable at Mumbai for Rs. 100/ per micrograph before 15 January 2002.

Awards for best poster and oral presentation

Registrants making oral or poster presentation(s) will be eligible for awards in biological and material sciences (if sponsored). Guidelines for these awards will be announced at the time of registration.

Mumbai is very well connected by air, road and rail to the rest of the country and to the world. Foreign travelers will need a visa. Please see the following web page for information on how to reach IIT-Bombay yourself from the main air / road / rail stations: http://www.iitb.ac.in/campus/howto/howtoget.html

Weather Conditions

The climate is pleasant during February. Light woolens may be required during the night but the days are warm. The day temperature is around 28 degrees Celsius and night temperatures are around 20 degrees Celsius. Rain is not expected.
 
 

(A) Name and contact information

Delegate's Name: ___________________________________________________

Affiliation/laboratory: ______________________________________________

Address for communication: ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________Pin____________________________

E-mail: ____________________________________________________

Fax: ____________________________________________________

Phone, office:_____________________________________________________

Phone, residence:___________________________________________________

Accompanying Person(s), if any:

Name(s) _____________________________________________________________

Name(s) _____________________________________________________________

(B) Conference registration for DELEGATE

You are registering as:

Yes/No: Full Registrant
Yes/No: Student
Yes/No: EMSI member, membership no.: _________

(C) Letter of Invitation

Yes/No: I require a letter of invitation.

(C) Special Requirements

Please specify any special requirements you may have and we will try our best to help

_____________________________________________________________________

(D) Abstract Presentation

I will be presenting the following as a ORAL / POSTER presentation. Title:

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
 
 

(E) Beginner's Workshop Registration

Yes/No: Full registrant
Yes/No: Student or research scholar with proof (enclose the proof)

(F) Advanced Workshop Registration

___ I'm interested: send me more information when available
___ Not interested

(G) Accommodation Reservation Form

ACCOMMODATION CATEGORY:

Enter your preference below: (preferences cannot be assured)

___ Student Hostel approximately Rs. 50 / day / person

___ Staff Hostel approximately Rs. 100 / day / person

___ Guest House approximately Rs.150 / day / person

___ Hotel nearby IIT approximately Rs. 6000 / U.S. $150 / day / room plus taxes

Arrival date (tentative): _______________________________________________

Departure date (tentative): _____________________________________________

Important: Booking amount for accommodation for one day must be sent in advance. This amount is not refundable. Additional amounts must be settled during the stay with the Hotel / Hostel where accommodation is provided.

(H) Payment

Advance payment with this registration form is A MUST. Demand Drafts preferred.

DELEGATE Rs. __________ US$ __________

ACCOMPANYING PERSON(S) Rs. __________ US$ __________

BEGINNER'S WORKSHOP Rs. __________ US$ __________

ACCOMMODATION Rs. __________ US$ __________

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED Rs. __________ US$ __________

Enclose a bank draft in Rs. or US$ payable at a Mumbai bank favouring EMSI-2002.

Date: ________ Place: _____________ Signature:__________________________

Send to: EMSI-2002, c/o Department of Chemical Engineering,

IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, INDIA.

Abstract Submission Form

Photocopies are acceptable. Please fill one form per abstract.

This form is available on the web at: http://www.che.iitb.ac.in/faculty/jb/emsi

(A) Name and contact information

Presenter's Name: ___________________________________________________

Affiliation/laboratory: ______________________________________________

Address for communication: ________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________Pin____________________________

E-mail: ____________________________________________________

Fax: ____________________________________________________

Phone, office:_____________________________________________________

Phone, residence:___________________________________________________

(B) Title of paper/poster

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Indicate your preference: q ORAL q POSTER

Category number: (tick below)

1.  Animal Sciences
2.  Aquatic sciences
3.  Biological sciences
4.  Biomedical engineering
5.  Cell biology
6.  Cryo microscopy
7.  Diagnostic electron microscopy
8.  Diagnostic Virology
9.  Earth Sciences
10.  EELS
11.  Electron diffraction & analysis
12.  Entomology
13.  Environmental analysis
14.  Food Sciences
15.  High Resolution Microscopy
16.  Histochemistry
17.  Image analysis and processing
18.  Industrial quality control
19.  Low-vacuum methods
20.  Material Sciences
21.  Metallurgy
22.  Nanomaterials & nanoparticles
23.  Nanostructure
24.  Nanotechniques
25.  New techniques
26.  Novel types of microscopy
27.  Optical Light microscopy
28.  Physical sciences
29.  Polymers and composites
30.  Soft matter & Complex fluids
31.  Surface morphology
32.  Thin film technology
33.  Tracer Techniques
34.  Cosmetics
35.  Food, flavours, fragrances
36.  Pharmaceuticals
37.  Ultrastructural studies
38.  Web based microscopy
39.  X-ray analysis
40.  FISH
41.  Scanned probe microscopy:
1.  confocal, multi-photon
2.  AFM, tunneling
3.  thermal, electrochemical, etc.
42.  Other: _______________

IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076,INDIA.